The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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